SS8: Podium in sight for Latvala

Jari-Matti Latvala has closed to within 17.8s of third placed Mads Ostberg with another impressive performance in his Ford World Rally Team Fiesta.

The Finn was 8.2s faster than his Norwegian rival as he bids to land the final podium spot on round three of the FIA World Rally Championship powered by Nokia following his earlier delay.

“We have to try to attack if we want to fight back to a podium,” said Latvala. “It’s been going well in the afternoon with a really good feeling. If I can keep the pressure to them that’s always good but they have a too comfortable lead at the moment.”

Ostberg, meanwhile, reported a build up of dust in his Adapta Fiesta caused by a hole in the bottom of his car. He also explained that a GPS tracking module had worked loose during the run and that had affected his concentration.

Out front Sebastien Loeb continues to lead Rally Guanajuato Mexico. The French ace was 1.2s slower than Latvala but, crucially, quicker than his Citroen team-mate Mikko Hirvonen who he heads in the overall standings by 4.5s.

Petter Solberg was second quickest, 1.0s down on Ford team-mate Latvala.